PSALMS

Psalm 2 ‘For a Royal Coronation’

Why do the nations protest and the peoples grumble in vain? Kings on earth rise up and princes plot together against the Lord and his anointed:

“Let us break their shackles and cast off their chains!”

The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord derides them,

Then speaks to them in anger, terrifies them in wrath:

“I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord, who said to me, “You are my son; today I am your father.

Only ask it of me, and I will make your inheritance the nations, your possession the ends of the earth.

With an iron rod you shall shepherd them, like a clay pot you will shatter them.”

And now, kings, give heed; take warning, rulers on earth.

Serve the Lord with fear; with trembling bow down in homage,

Lest God be angry and you perish from the way in a sudden blaze of anger.

Happy are all who take refuge in God!

Psalm 1 ‘True Happiness in God’s Law’

Happy those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked, Nor go the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers. Rather, the law of the Lord is their joy; God’s law they study day and night.

They are like a tree planted near streams of water, that yields its fruit in season; Its leaves never wither; whatever they do prospers.

But not the wicked! They are like chaff driven by the wind.

Therefore the wicked will not survive judgment, nor will sinners in the assembly of the just.

The Lord watches over the way of the just, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.